Two people, one a volunteer firefighter, have been arrested and charged with setting a fire in Tallapoosa County June 23rd, following an investigation by local officials and the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office.
Kevin Wayne Whetstone, 21 year old firefighter with the Newsite Volunteer Fire Department, and Michael Keith Sharpe age 35, have been charged with Arson Second Degree. The fire occurred at 883 Tower Street in Newsite, destroying a mobile home and addition.
Whetstone has been a volunteer firefighter for approximately one year. Sharpe was formerly a volunteer firefighter with Newsite, but left the department some time ago. Sharpe was charged in 1996 with Burglary and Theft related to an incident at this same home.